Like, Share, or Denied: US Visa Now Hinges on Your Social Media Footprint

In one of its broadest actions to date, the Trump administration has ordered US embassies around the globe to step up social media screening for foreign visa candidates of all varieties—students, teachers, workers, contractors, guest lecturers, and travelers. To have absolutely no social media whatsoever, no Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter), may now be a basis for rejecting someone's visa.

 

Key Highlights

Broader Social Media Review: US consular officials are instructed to review applicants' social media sites and can request that they make their profiles public for review. Applicants with no visible online presence can be flagged and have a visa denied.

 

Student Visa Freeze: Embassies have suspended recently rescheduled student and exchange visitor visa interviews as they prepare for more rigorous vetting processes. Already scheduled interviews only will continue until the release of further guidance.

 

Targeted Content: The government is most interested in content that is anti-Semitic or pro-groups that are considered to be terrorist groups. Posts critical of the US or its foreign policy, particularly toward Israel, can also be targeted.

 

Immediate Effect: The policy has an immediate effect and is already being applied to all green card applications and student visas. Dozens of foreign student visas have reportedly been canceled in recent weeks.

 

Vague Standards: Although candidates are required to supply social media information from 2019 and later, it is unclear what "objectionable" material is. This vagueness has raised questions about fairness and transparency in the visa application.

 

Impact on Universities: The action is part of a wider crackdown on foreign students and elite universities, and has the potential to significantly hinder the visa-issuing process and affect campus diversity.

 

What Applicants Should Know

Have a clean, public social media account.

Be ready to present account history and details.

Posts in favor of groups designated as terrorist or containing anti-Semitic sentiments can cause denial or cancellation of visas.

The policy is one of several measures intended to address national security and campus antisemitism issues.

 

The lack of posts on the internet can be used against them," Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored in his order. 

 

Source: The Economic Times, University World News, Business Standard, BBC, Politico, Times Now, Indian Express, Times of India